Your Stand with Us!

Our Stand with You!

  Our Daily Bread, Network

ODB, Missions ODB, Ministries  ODB, Bible School & Institute 

 

 

The Body Working Together, Helping Those in Need Globally

Your stand with us and our stand with you!

Working Together, We Can,...Make a Difference!

"We will see the nations turn, touching heaven changing earth!"

Our Stand Together!

  I (we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us).

—Philippians 4:13

"Can Two Walk Together Except They Be Agreed?"
—Amos 3:3

"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
—Habakkuk  2:2-4

"...therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."
—Isaiah 61:7

"...even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee."
Zechariah 9:12

 

 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” 

  —Acts 2:42-47

Background: We believe that the body by God's design was from the very beginning was to work as one body with many parts and not work as many bodies (big or little). Not ignoring why separatism and division exists, it is clear and most of it is a lack of accountability, vanity, beliefs and an over all feeling and pride or desire for one group over the other being more right than the other when our hearts should be that let us be wrong in all things, but let Him be right in all things.

Admittedly, it is better to be right than wrong, because after all. who really desires to go in the wrong direction? The cost of everyone being correct is more church builds, more books being published, more schools and a bunch of bad attitudes all over the place when what is important are the two great commandments, Love God with all of your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, which seems to take a back seat to building churches and printing a lot of books.

Is it bad to build churches and print a bunch of books? No and we are not saying that, but it is wrong if we care more about building buildings and printing books if we are not taking care of the needs of the people around us in our local communities. Facts are if we do not take care of people it is difficult to tell God how much we love Him. We as leaders of the church seem to do it regardless of peoples needs. One thing is for sure if nothing else is certain is, if we all continue to do what we always have done, we will all probably continue to get the same results. Doing the same things is what creates the division and a cold heart, which also is insanity. We all have to be willing to do something different and learn to seek God on how to deal with local problems and needs, unless we do not care, but then we are not of Him.

God cares about all people and if we are like Him and are representing Him then we also should care about the needs of all and work to care for all people. If we can get over having to be right then we can work together to solve the needs of people if we are willing. Leaders of the church are called to be an example for people to follow and if that is what is creating the division, then the leaders need to do something different in order for things to change. It all starts with the leadership. If the leadership are not sensitive to God's ways, commandments, covenants and statutes then it is insanity to think that followers are going to care more than the leaders. Honestly, if the followers do not see the leaders work to care for people in communities and be willing to work with all believers to solve the needs of people in communities, then why should followers be willing to work with anyone? 

The leaders of all churches are at the end going to be held accountable to God for how we lead and care for our flocks. If we are not leading by love and caring for people and their needs then neither will the people care for the needs of others. If we as leaders do not pay attention to God's commandments and covenants then why should the people? Facts are if we are His people we fall into two basic categories either blessings or curses or we are somewhere in between, wandering in the desert.

ODB ministers are to work with all and encourage and exhort all to care for the needs of the people and to seek God in how to deal with those needs. The first step is to accept responsibility for what is happening or not happening. Once we do accept responsibility at then we can seek God for how to deal with it, because it is our responsibility. If it is not our responsibility then we will do little or nothing to deal with it. The promise is that we Can Do All things through Christ, and by faith as leaders we should. 

What does happen is that we tend to gather preachings and teachings on how to get more anointed, more blessings, favor and more of God's power without understanding that we become accountable to God for what we have been given. He gives freely, but then we need to understand we move into more accountability for what does happen in our communities. 

With ODB you are on a journey to represent His ways to all people both in the church and those not in the church. ODB is open to all as long as they are a believer and agree with the articles of faith. All are able to have input in what happens with ODB. It is an example of the body of Christ with Jesus as the head and we want to keep it that way. What we are seeking in working together is His presence and His will, because we have come to the realization that He does know what is best and where we will receive the best help for each of us. You will find as we go along that everything in ODB is focused around the vision that God has given you and us understanding that vision so we can work together to accomplish His purpose. You will also find that everything is all based on relationships here, one with the other with Him as the focus. It is very much like brothers and sisters walking as one in Him to accomplish His will on earth so we all have a hope at some sort of future, here on earth. We have learned all of this is important as a finger for example will never be a toe and likewise a toe will never be a finger and each must know their part as led by God to work as one body. We have five categories for lack of a better word of participation:

 

1) General partners which are people called to pray and work with ODB

2) Association members which have their own churches or schools

3) Missions Affiliates which may be a combination depending on the mission and where it is and what it is called to do but on a global basis

4) Charters which actually get you use the name of ODB and provides a spiritual covering

5) Students, which prayerfully will do what they are called to do and become a part of the whole picture sooner or later. After a student is certified or has graduated they become licensed in their field of study. After a period of time they can become ordained. With ordination also comes the responsibility.

 

Then last but not least is the staff of ODB of which are mostly volunteers. So I guess one can say there are six categories but everyone is treated the same. The whole concept and the end fruit is to leave no stone unturned globally, to gather His priesthood globally to work as one body to reach all globally.

As you get into agreement with us on this and add your faith to ours, we are believing for you as a minister and all those you are reaching out to now and all those you will be reaching out to in the future. As a minister you have been called by God to be an example for all those that He sends you and all those you reach out to. In this there are some basic responsibilities that you have to others and to God. Truth is if you cannot do basic things, then it is difficult to teach others or lead others to do basic things.

Basic things we are all called to do:

1) Seek God and put Him and His ways first in your life. There are many scriptures that pertain to keeping His ways and His commandments. Either we do these basic things or we find reasons not to do these things but the facts are He said, if you love Me, you will keep my commandments. Part of His commandments are His covenants and as His priesthood we all need to have a basic understanding of His covenants. 

2) Be led by His Spirit. Those that are led by His Spirit are the sons of God and as a minister you are to make sure each are sons of God and not sons of perdition. Can you follow simple directions, especially if they are in line with scripture? If you can't then those you lead will not be able to either.

3) Forgive one another as He has forgiven you. Most prayers are not answered because there is some un-forgiveness somewhere along the line. If we forgive, we will be forgiven. If we do not forgive then neither will we.

4) Pray for others. There is power in prayer and especially in prayer in agreement. Part of what we do is have teams of prayer people waiting to work with you. We pray for you and all those you reach out to individually and we want you to pray for the needs of others.

5) Work as one body. Not working as one body creates division and is the work of the enemy, not God. Each of us have been given different gifts so when the body works together as one body, His will can be done in each life that you bring before us and we bring to you in prayer.

6) Tithing: Malachi 3:8-10 is fairly clear. It is next to impossible to get others to tithe if we are not doing it ourselves. Tithe is something that is due God. It provides the finances to help others and not build buildings with. Giving is beyond the tithe and what we give we shall receive. His covenant promise is that He will open to you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive. He will rebuke the devourer for your sakes. Many in ministry when they start out are seeking finances to help pay expenses. God's way of doing things is through the tithe but if we have not tithed then there are problems and the flow does not happen as it should. When people tithe, then the bills are God's problem and He even said He would prove Himself in this. A note on tithing. Tithing is not for building buildings. We are responsible to God for what we do with the money. We as leaders of the church need to treat all as equal. The reason ODB ministers and churches should tithe to ODB is first to be blessed by God, but secondly you should understand that the funds go to help brothers and sisters in need in accountability. Tithing means one tenth when we give, but as far as the church is concerned and the leaders are concerned we should as an example use 10% for the support of the priesthood and 90% should be for those in need. 

7) Help all  find their purpose and calling. When people go in the right direction in life in their purpose and calling, there are less bumps in life or if there are bumps, God helps with those bumps if we are going somewhat in the right direction. Life gets harder when we get off track. He wants all to come to maturity and as a minister you are there to mentor them how to get to maturity so they can serve others. Many need to be trained in their calling and purpose and ODB will help you each step of the way. We are all called to be ministers of reconciliation and Ambassadors for Christ, representing His will to all. Everyone you reach out to should know God's plan for them and their purpose in the body. When any of us are used by the Spirit of God it is the greatest high there is, but as a minister you have to make sure they are allowed and encouraged to use their gifts and callings so they can grow and come to maturity and reach out to others in the community.

Commission: As a minister of ODB as a part of our mandate from God, as we are called to gather the body globally, to leave no stone unturned (all believers are stones), to represents His ways and covenants and to exhort the body to work as one body globally in God's plan. (The only hope we have is to work as one body and be focused on Him and His ways). You as a minister of ODB are charged to reach out to all those in the area where God has placed you with His ways, His truth. (In accepting this God will give you an anointing, which is His ordination). Salvation is about giving our lives to God through Jesus, giving up our own will, being led by His Spirit. (People will either accept or reject His truth and His ways, but you are charged and called to demonstrate His ways so they can see the truth, through you). It is about being a servant of God, which is what makes us sons. It is about making His house a house of prayer, walking with God and representing His ways, teaching them to observe all things. Seeking Him and His presence and not stuff. You are not here because you are better then others, but because God has put you here. If you are not sure, seek Him and make sure. Be assured you will see the hand of God in your life and you will receive His blessings in all things including finances, but beware it is a test and condition of the heart in what you do with it.

 We are here to serve you, your goals in ministry and in life as individuals! We have come to the realization that we are all in this together and one part of the body cannot get ahead of the other parts, so we desire and will do everything possible to help, so we can all go forward together. Our relationship with God depends on it and so does yours. We are responsible to each other and for each other.

God desires to bless us all and desires that we bless others. The more we forgive, the more we will be forgiven. The more grace we give to others, the more grace will be given to us and the more we give, the more we will receive as good and faithful stewards. 

Our purpose is to walk with all believers that God sends us, help believers come to an understanding of who they are in Christ, the power given to us in walking in unity, help believers find their purpose and calling, exhort us all to pray for each other, train believers if needed and support each others ministry, calling or purpose, big or small.

As individuals and ministries we want you to be successful and productive in all areas of your life:

God's commission to ODB is to reach all globally and leave no stone unturned. This is done through His priesthood. It is the harvest and the harvest will be there if we all do what we are called to do. Some plant, some water and nurture and some harvest, but all have a part. By faith we see it too. Together we can make a difference, we can make a change and will do it through Christ (Jesus the head and we are the body)!

We at ODB take licensing and ordination very seriously as this is not about religion or just about paperwork it is about being in God's will and being able to demonstrate His will in love and unity first to the body and then to those He calls ministers to lead. It is about being dedicated not just to teach and preach, which is a small portion of ministry but to walk with all in love and to be an example. People follow and do what we do as ministers more than what we say. Although we do not turn anyone away, being a minister with ODB, licensed or ordained should be taken seriously and soberly. It is about covenant with God and each other to accomplish His will and purpose. Each prospective minister must understand the following:

What God is looking for in a minister and what we are looking for:

1) Know that you were called of God.

2) Know you were led by His Spirit and specifically led by God to ODB and be able follow simple directions, especially if they are scriptural.

 

3) Ability to lead by example and desire to walk with people. Teach believers to be led by His Spirit and make sure they are in line with God's will and scripture.

4) Know God's plan for yourself, locally, globally and be able to help believers find God's plan for themselves.

5) Understand and be able to discern and assess the needs of the people or community you are called to serve and be dedicated to helping people with their needs in body, soul and Spirit. Be able to communicate those needs to us and  others so we all can seek His will for them.

6) Moving in the fruit of the Spirit. Keeping His commandments, statutes and observing His covenants and understand the power of praise and worship. 

7) Work to edify, build the body and bring the body together in love and unity. To work with believers locally to help them grow in their calling and gifts so they can come to maturity and work to establish other body ministries, i.e., churches, missions (food and shelter), outreaches, schools, prison ministry, counseling centers

8) Dedicated to a life of seeking God, His ways and prayer.

9) Demonstrate the heart of God, focused more on service, than teaching or preaching.

10) Teach and preach Christ Crucified both Jesus the head and the body.

11) Willingness to work as one body globally, to pray , work, exhort, encourage others and support each others ministry.

12) Acceptance of the five-fold gift ministry and willingness to work with His ministry, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which provides balance for the body.

 

13) Tithe. What we give we receive good or bad. In tithing and doing things His ways God will bless the work you are doing.

 

14) Work to build local teams of support to reach all in the community. Ability to encourage and exhort all to work as one body and for all to be involved in some service. Ability to train and organize believers for service locally.

Although these may seem as difficult standards, it is all designed by Him to bring love and unity. We do not expect you to be perfect. We do expect you to let us know how you are doing, what progress you are making and sometimes the lack of progress so we can pray for you, seek His will for you and work with you to overcome what needs to be dealt with. 

Things you can count on:

1) Walk with each one God sends us and you can count on direction especially if you know you have been led by God to ODB. If you have a problem then we have a problem, because we are very connected, but you as a minister of ODB and leader need to stay connected so we can help you and walk with you.

2) Prayer support for you, those you help and prayer support for your ministry.

3) Help you locate resources so you can help those in need in the area you have been called to serve

4) Provide training & training materials and studies for you and those you may train in the future. This also includes web training materials for those you are called to care for so you can take them from one point to the next as God leads.

5) Spiritual covering and anything else you will need from God if you know you have been led to ODB, because you are in His will. ODB is to reach all globally and God has placed on ODB an anointing to help. You receive part of that anointing as a part of ODB.

6) Work with each minister to help each fulfill God’s plan in their life and in turn you are to work with all those God sends you to help them fulfill God's plan in their life.

7) Help supply back room support, mentorship and counseling in ministry.

8) Being part of God’s plan to reach every person globally with His love

9) Most importantly: Global vision, connection and representation: We can do all things through Christ, Jesus as the head and the body if we all work as one body to accomplish His will locally and globally.

Be assured we will work with all those that God sends.

What ODB supports, stands for and does not support:

Missions, Churches and Ministries:

ODB, because of Scripture believes in and supports the five fold gift ministry, because it is God's way to build and edify the body. Without the five-fold gift ministry there is unbalance, lack of stability and little accountability. We believe that the five-fold gift ministry works in unity to build the body and each member so all can grow to maturity to get to the point where they can help others. Statistically without the five-fold gift ministry in most churches it is 10% of the believers doing 80% of the work. What is needed is for the 80% to also do what they are called to do in order for balanced growth so believers will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

ODB, will work with all that God sends, however it is always to lead people to His ministry (the five-fold gift ministry) and to His way. According to scripture, God's people are covenant people and part of the covenant is blessings or curses and His ministry will bring safety, blessings and the power of God. 

We have found that many are called to ministry, but not many wait to be placed by God. In this those that do not wait on God also usually do not listen to others in ministry. This opens the door for the enemy to attack, which will always create confusion and division. A house divided against itself will fall. In the body there is accountability and balance and all are accountable to God, but also the body, the church. The word church has three definitions today. The first is the body of Christ. The second means community. The third means a building, a meeting place. We believe that we are called to build and edify the church or the body of Christ and not church buildings. Church buildings can and often do enslave people because of the costs and mortgages, where more support goes for the building than those in need in the community.

The first job of the body (church) is to care for the needs of the body, each member in body, soul and spirit. Secondly, to reach out to those in the world and bring them into the body through Christ. Once new believers are stabilized then help them find their purpose and calling so they can be trained and grow. We at ODB will not accept anyone that does not preach or teach Christ crucified. Christ in this case means both Jesus and the body. If we have died with Him then we are to give up our will for the will of the Father as we have been bought with a price and no longer our own. Secondly as leaders, we are to make sure that each are led by the Spirit of God to be sons of God, so believers will be in God's will, but what is spoken will be in line with Scripture. 

We believe that there are differences in ministry and different callings, but all are called to build the body and all should work to build the body or church. There is a difference between a church and a mission. The question is one of balance and accountability and future growth and purpose. Here are the basic definitions for understanding. Both either will produce different types of fruit. The work of ODB is not to work against the church but to build the church and each member.

 

Church: The word church literally means community or body of Christ. This can be in a traditional meeting place called a church building or in a home for example. We find in scripture that the first churches formed, met in peoples homes. For example when a church was established in the NT the work of the church was to reach out to all people and give the gospel message, which was Christ Crucified both head and body. Simply put, Jesus died for us and we are to give our lives to Him and die to self and learn to serve others as Jesus did and become like Him. A church should provide balance and treat all as equal for both those that have and those that are in need. A church takes people in and trains them in the ways of God and then hopefully trains the people in what they have been called to do. The Church is the body of Christ and it should if in line with scripture edify the whole body and everything done should edify the body to build the body. The body is Christ. To not build the body is the spirit of anti-Christ as it fosters rebellion doing things our own way working not to build the body but to build self interests or one sided efforts. There is in the church accountability to God and each other.

Mission:  A mission on the other is for the most part a rather one sided effort to help a certain group of people. The norm for a mission is to work within the confines of a church as a part of an outreach for a church. For example a rescue mission. To help those in need on the street or drug addicts or people that need food, like a soup kitchen. Another example of a mission or ministry of the church is prison ministry. To reach those in prison. Another mission or ministry of the church is to reach out to the sick. All of these missions are by design a calling of the body as God puts it in their heart to serve in the work, to reach out to those in need, but in reaching out to those in need, solving the need, but then bringing people into the church so they can grow in the body and be trained to produce fruit. A mission should be accountable to a local church as it is an outreach of the local church because it needs support of the local church and not designed to stand by itself. Further a ministry is the work of an individual but accountable to the church. A minister works to do whatever they are called to do but accountable to the local church. Counseling for example is a mission of the church that needs ministers to work in the mission to mentor people, for example. A mission is to bring people into the local church. It is a work of the church as an outreach of a church and should not compete with the church but support the efforts of the church.

Ministry: One called and chosen of God to represent His ways. A minister or representative of His ways. A minister should either work in a mission or outreach or a church to build and bring increase to the church. It is a position of service to the body and accountable to a local church. A minister is much like a finger of a hand, which cut off from the hand creates their own doctrine often working against the church and the focus often becomes one of just teaching and individuals edifying individuals instead of the work of the body. A true priest or minister will always work to edify the body and bring people into the body so each in the body can lock arms with all those in the body as he or she is called of God to represent His ways to the body. A true minister or priest of God will pay attention and work with the five fold gift ministry an not work separately and will take direction from the five fold gift ministry because of the condition of the heart for their own good and for the good of those they are called by God to serve. A minister that works to build their own pulpit creates a throne for themselves where the true minister of God works to build the kingdom of God for God to sit on the throne here on earth.

On a final note: We are here as His people to do His will here on earth. We are here to establish His kingdom on earth. His will is done through His people. Scripture tells us that we are called to be a royal priesthood and that we have been grafted into the promise to be His people, Jews. It is important to understand that Jesus did not come to start a new religion but a way that all may enter the kingdom of God and walk with God as His sons if we learn to be led by His Spirit. We are called to walk in love and demonstrate His will to all people so they will know the truth. As His priesthood every step we take we should be declaring it as Holy Ground set aside for His purpose which is Israel. Israel is a nation in the Middle East, no doubt, but we His people should all be walking with Him and declaring the land we walk on as His. If it is His land then He helps us maintain that land. If it is our land then we are on our own. It is part of our purpose here to build the kingdom of God, to establish His ways and represent His ways to all in love. We are to build community, because of the blood of Jesus and those that do accept His blood and have given their lives to Him, are our brothers and sisters as we should be one with Him and He with us and in us.

The enemy works constantly to establish his kingdom on earth and God's people are called and chosen of God to establish God's kingdom on earth so any of us have a chance for any kind of future. It is not about armies or taking things that do not belong to us or forcing our will on others. It is not about violence but reaching out with His hand in love. If we look back at history Christians were persecuted greatly because the enemies kingdom was threatened and would have and could have fallen had not many of the Christians been put to death in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire was based on control, deceit, greed and fear, pretty much like any government not of God. It is safe to say, had God's ways been established on the earth at the time, the world in which we are stuck in would have turned out completely different and the things that are happening today, would not and could not be happening. It is also rather safe to say, God's change does not come as a result of the law or creating new and improved laws, but the condition of the heart to walk in truth with God.

The facts are if the real change has happened in us and we begin to represent Him and His ways to all around us, which will greatly effect our families. If it effects our families it will pour out in the schools, where we work, in the communities in which we live. It will reach others, because we are working to establish His ways, His Kingdom in love and will change everything and people in need will be helped and shown the truth so they can be a part of the solution instead of being a part of the problem. As people really surrender their lives to God and learn to do things His way it will change everything around us. Crime will be reduced, drug and alcohol addiction will be reduced as well as the abuses that go with addictions because of the changes that are made in people by the hand of God. That change is real. What is missing is the love and unity to work to build His kingdom here helping people to understand that we all have been called to do a crucial part to build His kingdom here. What has been missing is the mentorship which will help believers grow and come to maturity so they can be productive members of the body and produce good fruit.

Many in ministry will tell you that it is about receiving God's blessing, which in part is true. The blessings of God come to those that walk in His ways and do what they are called and chosen by God to do. It is not about us receiving stuff, but us as His priesthood establishing His ways, in His Kingdom to His glory and not man's glory, here so we may have a future not only here on earth but later in heaven. We should be doing this for us, but also our families, children and grand children because blessings or curses fall on several generations. It is time we all begin to understand what this is all about. We either, any one of us are either a part of the solution or are the problem. II Chronicles 7:14

In maturity, because of the sacrifice of Jesus and His blood,  we were given the raw tools and the power of God to loose and bind and change everything around us. This all happens if we are able to walk in love and unity with each other with God as the focus. This all comes because we can walk in agreement and the only way to be in agreement is to understand much of the same things and be led by His Spirit so there are no hidden agenda's, but only desire to do His will as Jesus did. This of course takes dieing to self and giving Him our lives and our will. This takes us seeking Him, putting Him first in our lives, walking with Him, so He will walk with us. The word Tabernacle means to dwell. God Tabernacles with His people and His people Tabernacle or dwells with God, because they have surrendered their lives to Him, so God will dwell with His people. The very power of God is in agreement in walking together. In agreement and touching anything it will be done. God placed the future of earth in our hands. Should we do things His way, there will be hope. Should we do things our way, there is no hope but a lot of deception. 

Truth is if more "Tabernacling" were taking place with God and each other, walking in love and unity, the less problems there would be, the better the focus there would be and what we see happening today would not be happening. We have His promise of provision, love, security, protection, purpose and a host of other blessings if we walk with Him as Adam did once in the Garden of Eden, if we have the Mind and the Heart to do so. We all have to get to the point where we all understand that there is absolutely no good in us except for Him. Should we really come to understand this we will stop expecting people not of Him to do good things. After all it is either a true statement or not but if in error then most of scripture is also in error and we know it is not.

So how do we get things turned around? It all starts with His people and royal priesthood that are willing to do what we have been called and chosen by God to do. To stand with Him and each other. To represent the truth about what it is all about. To represent His ways and righteousness. To stand in love and unity with God and each other. To pray for one another. To exhort one another to go in the direction and do what we have been called to do. Each one of His people need to understand that we all have a part to do and are all called to do something and if we do it in love and unity there is hope.

As a minister of ODB you are to represent His ways to all people. To establish His ways on earth. To build the body so that the body will be edified and come together to work together so the body can be neatly fit together by His hand, so all can be reached out to and helped. You are here and called to declare each step you take as Holy Ground set aside for God and His purpose. You are called to pray for, forgive, bless others and represent the truth about what it is all about. You are charged with becoming living epistles so you can speak for God to all He puts in front of you. It is all so you can receive His blessing and accomplish His will here on earth as it is in heaven.